Amusement apparatus



R. HOULDSWORTH AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 25 1924 2 25 I9 'F/G lo 12 A 9 5 a l 1 TH {5 I [I /6' Patented Oct. 28, 1924.

fiTATES ROBERT HOULDSWORTH, 013 SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Application filed January 25, 1924-.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, ROBERT HOULDSWORTH, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Southport, England, have invented certain new and useful Tmprovements in an Amusement Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an amusement apparatus by means, of which several players may compete in a game consisting in pocketing or shooting a ball or the like into a goal or at a target.

According to this invention, the apparatus comprises a rotating table in the centre of which is one or a series of goals or pockets. Round the table in a fixed margin or the like is a series of ball projecting figures or devices which are adapted to be operated by push buttons or other mechanism. A ball is placed on the rotating table and is carried by centrifugal force towards the peripheral edge. As it comes opposite or passes one or other of the figures or devices controlled by the players it is projected by the operation of such device towards the central goal or target. The devices may represent the figures of footballers or golfers and the legs or clubs of the figures which project the ball be operated by the push buttons.

An amusement apparatus in accordance with this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus wherein the projecting devices take the form of the figures of football players, the ball be ing projected towards a central series of goals. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary vertical section of the apparatus to a larger scale, showing one half of the rotating table and the mechanism for driving the same, Fig.3

being a fragmentary sectional detail to a still larger scale showing the mechanism for actuating the pivotal legs of the model footballers.

The apparatus as illustrated comprises a rotataing table 1 in the centre of which is a series of goals 2 which are preferably fixed. In the arrangement shown there are six goal mouths. The'circular table 1 is connected to a hub framework 3 which is arranged to rotate on ball bearings 4 round a central stem 5 supported from a platform 6 below the rotating table 1, such platform being carried upon legs 7 or other supports.

Serial No. 688,621.

The lower part of the hub frame 3 is formed as a gear wheel 8 engaged and driven by a pinion 9 carried upon the upper end of a spindle 10 which is journalled in a bracket 11 bolted on the platform 6. The bracket 11 takes the form of a tubular casing in the ends of which are inserted bearing caps 12. On the lower end of the spindle 10 is a bevel or friction gear 13 engaged and driven by a bevel or friction pinion 14 on the spindle of a motor 15 which is con nected up by the leads 16 to some source of electric energy and is controlled by the switch 17. The motor 15 is housed in a suitable bracket 18 below the platform 6. Consequently, by means of the switch 17 the table 1 may be caused to rotate as desired. Round the table 1 is a fixed margin 18 on which are rigidly carried a series of impeller figures or devices 19, here shown as footballers, each figure having one of the legs 20 pivoted at 21., The margin 18 may also carry a protector rail 22, arms 23 from which support the figures 19. In the inner edge of the margin 18 is formed a curved channel 24 and the upper surface 1 of the rotating table 1 is preferably made to slope downward towards its periphery which rotates closely against the curved channel 24. Consequently, the ball 25 on the table 1 always tends to roll outwards towards the periphery of the table 1 and lie in the groove 24 which is just in front of the pivotal legs 20 of the football figures 19. Each device 19 is adapted to be operated by a push button 26.' For this purpose each pivotal leg 20 is con-- nected by a link 26 to a bell crank 27 pivoted at 28 in a casing 29 in which is also slidably mounted the stem 30 of the push button 26. The stem 30 is depressed by the player against a compression spring 31 which bears against a collar 32 pinned on the stem, the flange 33 of the collar engaging a knee jointed catch 84 oirthe bell crank 27, which latter is rocked and by the action of the thrust 1ink26 forces out the pivotal leg 20 and the ball, if it be in a suitable position in the channel opposite the leg, is projected inwardsacross the table towards the goal.

In playing the game, a group of players stand around the table each controlling his button 26 and the ball is placed on the table which is rotated by the motor 15 and is carried by a combination of centrifugal action and gravity along the sloping floor 1 towards the peripheral edge, ultimately lying in the curved channel. The ball in this position rests over the junction between the table edge and the fixed margin 18 and with a spinning action is carried around by the rotating edge of the table past the several figures, each player endeavoring to seize the correct moment to force down his push button 26 in order to operate the pivotal leg of his particular figure as the ball passes him, and try to project the ball into one of the central goals 2.

A. spring control is provided to return the bell crank 27 after operation and as on depression of the button 26 the flange 33 will have passed below the catch 34 on the bell crank, means is provided for enabling the flange 33 to trail past the catch again on the return stroke. This is effected by pivoting the catch at 36 in the arm of the bell crank, a stop 37 limiting the movement of the catch in one direction when taking the thrust of the flange 33 as the push button 26 is depressed. Vhen the push button is depressed the flange 33 in deflecting the bell crank 27 passes below the catch 34 andthe spring 35 returns the bell crank to the normal position shown. On the upward return stroke of the flange 33 it engages the lower inclined face of the catch 34 rotating the latter against the pull of a light spring 38, the flange 33 clicking past the catch 34 to the position shown. A rubber stop 39 may be provided to deaden the impact of the bell crank 27 as it is returned by the spring 35. An aperture 40 is provided in the casing 29 through which the link 26 works.

Owing to the twisting spin of the ball as it passes around. the channel 242 it is exceedingly diflicult to obtain a true kick by the devices which increases the intricacy and interest of the game.

I claim.

1. An-amusement apparatus comprising, a rotatable table, a goal or target in the centre of the table, a fixed margin fitting closely around the periphery of the table, a channel in the fixed margin, a series 01'' impeller devices or figures disposed on the fixed margin, movable elements on the devices adapted to engage and project a ball from thechannel towards the goal, and a ball adapted to be carried into the channel by the rotation of the table past the impeller devices or figures in such manner that it may be shot by the impeller'action of the devices towards the goal.

be carried into the channel by the rotation or the table past the impeller devices or figures in such manner that it may be shot by the impeller action 01" the devices towards the goal.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising, rotatable table, a motor for driving the table, a goal or target in the centre of the table, a fixed margin fitting closely around the periphery of the table, a channel in the fixed margin, a series of footballer figures each figure having a movable pivoted kicking log, a bell crank coupled to the pivoted leg, a spring controlled push button for rocking the bell crank to move the leg, said legs being adapted to engage and project a ball from the channel towards the goal, and a ball adapted to be carried into the channel by the rotation of the table past the impeller devices or figures in such manner that it may be shot by the impeller action of the devices towards the goal.

a. An amusement apparatus comprising, a rotatable table, a motor for driving the table, speed reducing gear connecting the motor and table, goal'or target in the centre of the table, a fixed margin fitting closely around the periphery of the table, channel in the fixed margin, a series of footballer figures, each figure having a movable pivoted kickingleg, a bell crank coupled to the pivoted leg, a spring controlled push button for rocking the bell crank to move the leg, sliding stem to the push button, a flange on the stem, a knee-jointed catch on the bell crank with which the flange engages, said legs being adapted to engage and project a ball from the channel towards the goal, and a ball adapted to be carried into the channel by the rotation of the table past the impeller devices or figures in such manner that it may be shot by the impeller action of the devices towards the goal.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT HOULDSlVORTH. Witnesses A. J. Davies, E. H. WILSON. 

